Information

News

09.Mar.2018 : New firmware V3.9 available for ERC-M and ERC Ver4sion 4

The following changes/corrections have been implemented:

addional commands implemented for better use with HAM-Pod (http://www.hampod.com)

default-value for 'Function of Aux' increased to 3000ms

time for security-stop changed from 8 to 12 sec

The Service-Tool, including the new Firmware, is available in the download-area of our homepage.If you experience any problems or difficulties with the new version, please report to us by email.

09.Mar.2017 :New firmware V1.3 available for ERC-Mini

The following changes/corrections have been implemented:

bugfix of error in API (tnx W3XY)

NO UPDATE NEEDED if you don't use the API

The Service-Tool, including the new Firmware, is available in the download-area of our homepage.If you experience any problems or difficulties with the new version, please report to us by email.

21.Feb.2016 :New firmware V1.2 and Service-Tool V1.1 available for ERC-Mini

The following changes/corrections have been implemented:

correction of a bug in the API for non-Windows users (tnx A65DR)

all 4 speeds (1 to 4) can now be configured for low-speed and high-speed (tnx KC8P)

the speed angle is now a configurable item between 0° and 30° (tnx N6WS, KC8P)

The new version of the Service-Tool, including the new Firmware, is available in the download-area of our homepage.If you experience any problems or difficulties with these new versions, please report to us by email.

16.Jun.2015 : NEW 1-axis interface ERC-Mini available

ERC-Mini is a new line of rotor-interfaces especially made for rotators that have a remote-connector like

Yaesu/Kenpro SDX

Yaesu DXA/DXC

Create with 6-pole DIN-connector

Emotator with 5-pole DIN-connector

While ERC-Mini SDX will be mounted directly inside the Yaesu/Kenpro-control-box all other ERC-Minis come with a metal-enclosure and a cable to the rotators control-box.

ERC-Minis are ‘Plug and Play’ and provide an USB-interface to the computer.

A new 4-stage speed-control is implemented for the Yaesu/Kenpro-rotators.

ERC-Mini is now available in our online-shop and on the HAM-Radio 2015 in Friedrichshafen / Germany on June 26th – 28th 2015, booth A1-409.

05.May.2014 : NEW 1-axis interface ERC VERSION 4 available

With hardware-revision 4 the following improvements and changes have been implemented:

ERC VERSION 4 is now available with RS232- or USB-interface

no external USB/RS232-converter needed for USB

the USB-version incorporates a FTDI-chip for highest compatibility to Linux, MacOS and all versions of Windows from XP on to 8.1

upgraded Microcontroller with double speed and double memory

improved methods for mechanical implementation

Back-panel mounted or ground-panel mounted

improved Firmware, Service-Tool and Rotor-Control-Software (same as for ERC-M)

configurable baudrate: 4800/9600/19200/38400 Baud

configurable protocol: HyGain DCU-1, Yaesu GS232A or GS232B

automated Firmware-upload

selection of language for the Service-Tool: English, German, French

optimized and easier calibration-process

any position of antenna can be calibrated

support of side-mounted antennas

overlap up to 180° can be handled

extended calibration also in the overlap-area

configuration- and calibration-data can be saved and reloaded from the PC to make the use of the ERC easier for different rotators

04.May.2014 :New Service-Tool V3.3 available for ERC-M

This update covers a problem with the calibration of side-mounted rotators with less than 360° of turning-radius (tnx N4ZR).The new version is available in the download-area of our homepage.

update of GS232A/B protocol-implementation to gain more compatibility to the original protocol by Yaesu ® (tnx DL1MX)

implementation of speed-reverse for the function of the AUX-relays (tnx DF3RL)

change of extended-calibration-steps for elevation from 15° per step to 5° per step to improve pointing-accuracy for non-linear elevation-systems like SAT-actuators with feedback-potentiometer (tnx ON4AOI)

A new calibration will be needed after update of the firmware.The new versions are available in the download-area of our homepage.If you experience any problems or difficulties with these new version, please report to us by email.

10.Feb.2014 :We moved

from February 10th. on our new adress is: Kreuzangerstr. 58, DE-86399 Bobingen.

24.Mrz.2013 :New firmware V3.3 available for ERC-M

This version covers the unwanted appearance of additional characters on the LCD-display (thanks to F6BIA, F1BCS).The Service-Tool V3.0 together with the new firmware V3.3 is ready for download on the download-page of our website.

21.Mar.2013 : TR4W a Contest-logger was successfully tested with ERC and ERC-M. TNX SM3EFS for pointing us to this software. The program-settings are available now in our Software Guide.

25.Jan.2013 :New modes for ERC-M: Master-Slave over RS232 or LAN

A new Service-Tool V3.0 and Firmware V3.1 have been released for ERC-M.

These new versions support Master-Slave-Modes that are used in remote-stations without PCs. An ERC-M with desktop-housing (LCD, LEDS and pushbuttons) on the home-site is controlling an ERC-M on the remote-site. This can be done either by the optional LAN-interface of the ERC-M or by devices that convey RS232 over LAN/Internet.

These new modes are described in our new operation-guide.

The following modes are now supported by ERC-M:

ERC-M controlled by a PC by RS232

ERC-M controlled by a PC by USB

ERC-M controlled by a PC by LAN

One PC controls several ERC-M by RS232 or USB

One PC controls several ERC-M by LAN

Several PC control 1 ERC-M over LAN

Several PC control several ERC-M over LAN

Master-Slave mode over RS232

Master-Slave mode over LAN

Master-Slave mode over the Internet

All needed modes are now covered for a home-station, a contest-station with multiple operator and/or multiple antennas (rotators) and remote-stations.

The new Service-Tool together with the new firmware and the new operation-guide are ready for download on the download-page of our website.

22.Mar.2012 : HalloSat, a German satellite-tracking-program, does now support ERC-M for rotor-controlling. In order to use this function, HalloSat with version 5xx (or higher) together with HalloEasyRotor and ERC-M with a firmware version 2.4 or higher is needed. The latest firmware for ERC-M is available on our download-page. Thanks to Gerd, DB3DH, for the cooperation to make this solution happen.More information about HalloSat is available at http://www.hallosat.de/ .

10.Mar.2012 : All ERC-Interfaces have been successfully tested with AZraEL, a small EME-tracker by PA5DD.

25.Feb.2012 : Easy-Rotor-Control is Sponsor of the 15th International EME Conference held in Cambridge August 2012For further information about the conferecne follow this link: EME 2012

28.Jan.2012 : GPREDICT, a LINUX-software using HAMLIB was successfully tested with ERC-M (Thanks EA4TV). The settings are available in our software-wiki.

22.Jan.2012 : A new software-wiki is now available on our homepage. It gives detailled information about how to setup an ERC-interface and how to setup the software which is used.

23.Jun.2011 : PstRotatorAZ is now supporting the new DUAL-AZ mode from version 5.23 on.

18.Jun.2011 : ERC-M, a new modular rotor-interface featuring DUAL-AZ

ERC-M is a modular rotor-interface featuring multiple options and is suitable to nearly every purpose in the world of rotor-controlling.

Based on 1 interface-PCB you can:

choose your primary interface between USB or RS232

add an additional LAN-interface

add a slimline-case

add a desktop-housing for azimuth&elevation or DUAL-azimuth (1) with LCD, LEDs and a keyboard for manual control

Problem: The source-voltage for the feedback-potentiometer is taken from an unstabilized 12V (or +/- 12V) DC inside the control-box. The power current for the motor is taken from another winding of the same transformer. In the moment when the motor is switched, the feedback-voltage drops some percent which may lead to pointing-inaccuracies up to 10°. The problem appears mainly in installations where the cables to the rotator are short and have a good diameter hence surging more current from the control-box. Create corrected this problem in models with remote-connector (-P) by use of a voltage regulator.

Solution: Adding a 9.1 or 10V Z-Diode over the terminal clamps 4 and 6 of the control-box stabilizes this voltage significantly and the pointing accuracy improves well. The Z-diode should have at least 0.5W. The needed series-resistors for the Z-diode are already included in the circuit of the control-box.As there are different schematics out there for these rotators, the polarity of the voltage at terminal clamps 4 and 6 is different. Please measure the polarity and connect the cathode of the Z-Diode to the positive terminal clamp. The cathode is normally marked with a black stripe on the body of the Z-diode.

We will add a suitable diode to our e-shop soon.

Thanks to DO1JRA and K6CG for testing this solution.

16.Feb.2011 :New Firmware for 1-axis-controller ERC V6.8 is available with the following changes / improvements :

05.Oct.2010 : Easy-Rotor-Control was successfully tested with the following programs:

WXtoImg, a weather satellite signal to image decoder

25.Sep.2010 : Easy-Rotor-Control was successfully tested with the following programs:

EME-System (F1EHN)

HAMLIB, an open-source-library for HAM-radio projects

18.Jul.2010 :New Firmware for 2-axis-controller ERC-3D V2.3 and Service-Tool V2.2 are available with the following changes / improvements :

Optimization of the extended calibration. Instead of taking the average between 2 calibration-points, the moving average is now calculated. This avoids the jumps in the feedback-angle that could appear close to the calibration-points.

Improved stop-handling with better pointing accuracy.

The new version is available on our download-page.

17.Jul.2010 :New Firmware for 1-axis-controller ERC V6.5 and Service-Tool V6.3 are available with the following changes / improvements :

Optimization of the extended calibration. Instead of taking the average between 2 calibration-points, the moving average is now calculated. This avoids the jumps in the feedback-angle that could appear close to the calibration-points (Thanks IZ3KGJ, YO3DMU).

Optimization of the feedback-angle if the ERC works in elevation-mode. All angles greater than 180° automatically change to 0° (Thanks YO3DMU),

The new version is available on our download-page.

20.Jun.2010 : Just in time for the HAM-Radio exhibition 2010 in Friedrichshafen / Germany we released our new 2-axis-interface ERC-R.

ERC-R is an miniature-interface for such rotators, where the control-box already has a remote-connector :

Yaesu G-5400/5500/5600 with 8-pole DIN-connector

Yaesu/Kenpro G/KR-800/1000/2700/800 SDX with 8-pole flat connector

Yaesu G-800/1000/2800 DXA/DXC with 6-pole Mini-DIN-connector

Create RC5A/B-3-P and ERC5A-P with 6-pole DIN-connector

Emotator, all with a 5-pole DIN-connector

ProSisTel, control-box type B with 9-pole D-SUB-connector

ERC-R provides the following features :

Miniature-PCB 67mmx45mm

ready assembled with SMD + connectors in THT

USB with FTDI-chipset

Low-Power-Design with Open-Collector- and OPTOMOS-outputs

USB-powered or external with 7..15V DC

ERC-R provides the following connections

Rotor-controllers (see above) through 10 solder-pads

LCD through 10-pole boxheader

LED+switches through 10-pole boxheader

A first production-lot will be available on the HAM-Radio exhibition (A1-413) on 25th. to 27th. of June in Friedrichshafen/Germany

02.May.2010 : New Firmware for 2-axis-controller ERC-3D V2.1 and Service-Tool V2.2 are available with the following changes / improvements :

The 5th. relay can now be configured as a brake-relay or as a relay to control the speed of some rotators. It also can be deactivated completely. Parameters to configure the relay as speed-relay have been implemented.

The hardware-test-routine can now be interrupted by pressing the Test-button again.

The new version is available on our download-page.

25.Apr.2010 : New Firmware for 1-axis-controller ERC V6.3 and Service-Tool V6.2 are available with the following changes / improvements :

The 3rd. relay can now be configured as a brake-relay or as a relay to control the speed of some rotators. It also can be deactivated completely. Parameters to configure the relay as speed-relay have been implemented.

The Service-tool provides now a Default-button to reset the calibration and configuration to default-values.

The hardware-test-routine can now be interrupted by pressing the Test-button again.

Implementation of the parameter "Tolerance".

Improvement of handling the GS232-protocol when configured as Azimuth or Elevation-rotator (Thanks VE2DX).

The new version is available on our download-page. Please pay attention to the remarks on the download-page for the upgrade to this version !

13.Mar.2010 : New Firmware for 2-axis-controller ERC-3D V1.8 and Service-Tool V1.6 are available with the following changes / improvements :

Corrects a bug in the Azimuth-calibration (Thanks to various users).

Corrects a bug in the "Extended Calibration", when Azimuth and Elevation are using the extended calibration (Thanks IV3MUR)

The new version is available on our download-page.

07.Mar.2010 : New Firmware for 2-axis-controller ERC-3D V1.6 and Service-Tool V1.5 are available with the following changes / improvements :

To improve compatibility the Yaesu-protocol can now be configured as GS232A or GS232B (Thanks VE2DX).

Beside German and Englisch, French is now available too for the Service-tool and Rotor-Control (Thanks VE2DX).

30.Jan.2010 : New Firmware for 1-axis-controller ERC V5.2 and Service-Tool V5.2 are available with the following changes / improvements :

Improvement of the compatibility in the GS232B-mode as some rotor-control-programs have a different interpretation of the GS232B-protocol.

Expansion of elevation-calibration to 45°, 90° and 180° (thanks IZ3KGJ).

Implementation of a test-button to check functionality of the relays after assembly.

Reduction of firmware-upload-speed to 19200, as there was a problem with older PCs with high utilization.

21.Jan.2010 : The 2-axis-controller ERC-3D for the control of azimuth- and elevation-combi-rotators and for any other combination of azimuth- and elevation-rotators has successfully passed the beta-test-phase and can be delivered now.

16.Jan.2010 : Easy-Rotor-Control was successfully tested with the following program :

Win-EQF

29.Nov.2009 : From now on a Lite-Version of PstRotator by YO3DMU, a professional rotor-control-software, will be delievered together with Easy-Rotor-Control. Thanks to Codrut making this special version for us.

21.Nov.2009 : New Firmware V5.0 and Service-Tool V5.0 are available with the following changes / improvements :

The control of elevation-rotators has been implemented. It supports control and calibration of 90° and 180° elevation-rotators.

All comports from COM1 to COM15 can now be used also for firmware-update.

06.Nov.2009 : New Firmware V4.1 and Service-Tool V4.1 are available with the following changes / improvements :

Calculation of overlap-areas during the calibration of rotators that support more than 360° (now max. 720°).

Full support for rotators with > 360°. (thanks to several users).

Introduction of the calibration-assistent to make the calibration-process easier.

Beside the buttons CW and CCW (now >> and <<) there are now the buttons >>| und |<< available. After clicking these buttons the rotator will move to the choosen direction until it reaches the mechanical or programmable endstops or stops by pressing the STOP-button. (thanks HB9KAR).

Adjustable poll-rate for ERC-Control (thanks DL1NUX).

New parameter "Start-Application". It can be choosen, if the Service-Tool starts with the configuration-window or with ERC-Control (thanks DL1NUX)

20.Sep.2009 : Easy-Rotor-Control was successfully tested with the following program :

28.Jul.2009 : Easy-Rotor-Control was successfully tested with the following program :

EasyLog 5

12.Jul.2009 : Easy-Rotor-Control was successfully tested with the following program :

Win-Test 4

03.Jul.2009 : Easy-Rotor-Control was successfully tested with the following programs :

DXbase 2007

UcxLog with Version 6.42

20.Jun.2009 : New Firmware V3.0 and Service-Tool V3.0 are available with the following changes / improvements :

Alternativ to the normal calibration an extended calibration is available to compensate non-linearities of the rotator-feedback-voltage. The calibration is performed every 30° (Thanks DL1NUX).

Implementation of an user-dialog to guide through the firmware-update-process (Thanks DL1DSN).

Expansion of available COM-ports in the Service-Tool. Now COM1 through COM8 is available to control the ERC by the ERC-Control or other software BUT be aware, that during a firmeware-update the ERC MUST be connected to a COM-port between COM1 and COM4. This expansion was made, as in some notebooks all COM-ports up to COM4 are occupied by internal devices of the notebook (Thanks DF2JP).

The new firmware and service-tool are part of the delivery from now on. Existing users may request the new firmware und servie-tool by email.

01.Jun.2009 : New Firmware V2.5 and Service-Tool V2.2 are available with the following changes / improvements :

Support of south-centered-antennas.

Feedback of antenna-position to the controlling program(extended Hygain DCU-1 protocol).

Additional functions of the internal rotor-control-program :

The position of the antenna is shown by using the new feedback-function.

Additional buttons for CW (right) and CCW (left) according to the function of the manual buttons of a rotor-controller.

Implementation of an additional park-button.

The internal control-program is renamed from Simple-Control in ERC-Control.

Change of specification of the input-circuit to +3..+15V with automatic-range and update of the hardware accordingly (compatible to existing hardware).

The new firmware, hardware and service-tool are part of the delivery from now on. Existing users may request the new firmware und servie-tool by email.